Cemex Philippines pledges support for government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’
GLOBAL building solutions manufacturer Cemex Holdings Philippines expressed its commitment to provide a stable supply of cement solutions to support the government’s “Build, Build, Build” agenda during the recent The Asset 13th Philippine Forum held at the Grand Hyatt Manila Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
“Build” and “Innovate” were central themes during the forum that gathered investors, key issuers, regulators, and representatives from financial institutions across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to discuss the macro outlook that could shape the country’s growth this year and cite market reforms that could further bolster growth.
In 2018, the Philippine GDP impressed with a growth of 6.2 percent on the back of surging infrastructure-driven public spending. Ignacio Mijares, Cemex Philippines president and CEO, affirmed that the Philippines continues to be one of the most exciting markets in the company’s global network, as the country’s economy remains bullish and as the government ushers in a “golden age of infrastructure.”
“Infrastructure activity can easily grow double-digits in the coming years, especially now that the projects under the Build, Build, Build program have broken ground,” said Mijares, who was one of the speakers during the “Build and Innovate” panel discussion. “The key to building the future is through sustainability and innovation, and we’re happy to be part of this way forward.”
The company plays a pivotal role in the country’s growth narrative. Cemex is currently the exclusive supplier of cement for the CebuCordova Link Expressway, which is intended to ease the traffic situation in Cebu. The province is home to Apo Cement Corp., Cemex’s biggest cement plant in the country.
Supporting Build, Build, Build is significant for Cemex, as the company values its partnership with the government and the Filipino people for nation-building, since it established itself in the local market in 1997.
At present, the challenge to supply, according to Mijares, is how to serve the needs of the market in the most efficient manner and to improve operations to mitigate the impact of higher input costs. “The strategy for the coming years is to increase the use of alternative fuels and lower-grade coal to reduce input costs. we have also initiated partnerships with corporations who have solid waste produce that we can use as refuse derived fuels. The goal is to create a win-win platform for us, our partners and most especially the environment,” said Mijares.
The company also recently launched Cemex Go in the Philippines. Through this first-of-its-kind, fully digital customer integration platform, customers can get more businesses done in less time by being able to transact and interact with Cemex anytime, anywhere using their mobile devices.
Cemex has a rich history of improving the well-being of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements, and efforts to promote a sustainable future. Its high-quality products and reliable services are available in more than 50 countries worldwide. In the Philippines, Cemex subsidiaries Apo Cement Corp. and Solid Cement Corp. produce and market a broad product mix of building solutions. These cement manufacturing plants carry the well-established cement brands APO and Rizal.